Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective languorous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of languorous are lackadaisical, languid, listless, and spiritless. While all these words mean "lacking energy or enthusiasm," languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

When is it sensible to use lackadaisical instead of languorous?

In some situations, the words lackadaisical and languorous are roughly equivalent. However, lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

When can languid be used instead of languorous?

The synonyms languid and languorous are sometimes interchangeable, but languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness.

was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery

When would listless be a good substitute for languorous?

While in some cases nearly identical to languorous, listless suggests a lack of interest caused by physical weakness or dissatisfied boredom.

listless hospital patients
listless children flipping through picture books on a rainy day

In what contexts can spiritless take the place of languorous?

The meanings of spiritless and languorous largely overlap; however, spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life.

a spiritless recital of the poem

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of languorous Planned or not, that mess is smoothed out as the film proceeds, and Washington’s performance goes from languorous and dazed to razor-sharp and darkly humorous—reminiscent of the work he’s done for Lee in the past. David Sims, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2025 Summer ’25 is all about languorous mornings and late afternoon bike rides with fresh baguettes in the basket. Angela Lei, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025 The film moves at the languorous speed of a humid summer day. Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2025 His Southern drawl sounds like a languorous cross between early Brando and Mr. Blackwell. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for languorous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languorous
Adjective
  • Her voice, languid and honeyed, can glide over sensual R&B, bouncing reggaetón, shimmering pop or nostalgic jazz.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
  • One-sided, slightly tipping top-handle bags emerged as well as mesh and net bags, also supporting the more languid fluid rtw looks.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In total, the men would spend 144 days aboard the listless vessel, until they were rescued June 15 by a Japanese fishing ship about 700 miles from Honolulu and 4,000 miles from Costa Rica.
    Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Ohtani—the Dodgers’ 10-year, $700 million man—came into the game with one hit in the best-of-seven series against the listless Milwaukee Brewers, who now trail 3-0 after losing, 3-1, at Dodger Stadium Thursday night.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s a sanguine sweetness to the proceedings, and a lackadaisical approach to dry joke delivery that sort of resembles Wes Anderson’s stop-motion work like The Fantastic Mr. Fox (and to a lesser degree his live-action movies).
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
  • However the United Farmworkers Union has contended that staff shortages and lackadaisical management prevent the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, from effectively enforcing those rules, leading to workers’ debilitating conditions and even death.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The first turned a fourth-quarter fumble into a 59-yard score when Achane burst through a tired, and seemingly defeated Buffalo defensive front and outsprinted the Bills’ entire secondary to the end zone.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
  • But that feels like a tired, outdated characterisation.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The Chiefs turned that spiritless first half into a 28-7 blowout Monday night against the Commanders, opening the second half with touchdown drives of 80, 75 and 94 yards.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
  • From spiritless spirits to refusing to open up a bar tab, members of Generation Z are continuing to challenge alcohol traditions.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Two shivering dogs now sat in her backseat, exhausted but safe.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Surely that has increasing resonance among the politically exhausted and spiritually disenchanted.
    Abby McCloskey, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • After arriving at the residential property, a woman, who was not publicly identified, rushed toward him while carrying the limp baby in her arms.
    Jillian Frankel, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Chip had marked the birds down and brought them to me, warm, soft, and limp, one at a time.
    Joel M. Vance, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Signs to treat fevers include being unusually sleepy, cranky and refusing food and drinks.
    Erika Edwards, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Trancoso, Bahia The opening of Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa in 2009 transformed the sleepy fishing village of Trancoso into a boho-chic hot spot.
    Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Languorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languorous. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

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